The military said Monday the firefight took place in an "uncleared pocket" along the border in the North Waziristan tribal territory.

"When being chased and cordoned, one terrorist exploded his suicide jacket," a Pakistan military spokesperson said.

Pakistani security forces have been conducting ground and air operations in the Waziristan region since June, 2014 to clear it of local and foreign militants. The area has long served as a safe haven for local and foreign militants.

Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan have also used sanctuaries in North Waziristan for planning attacks against Afghan and foreign troops. Pakistan military officials, however, insist the so-called Zarb-e-Azb army operation under way in the border areas has destroyed most of the terrorist infrastructure there.